The Central Criminal Court will hold a sentence hearing for the two 15‑year‑old boys, known as Boy A and Boy B, who were convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel in an abandoned house on Clonee Road, Lucan, on 14 May 2018. The hearing, scheduled for next Tuesday, will include a summary of evidence presented by a Garda detective inspector and a statement from Ana's parents. Mr Justice Paul McDermott received psychological and psychiatric reports on the boys. Boy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence.
David O'Brien, a former scout leader, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight counts of indecent assault relating to four boys between January 1, 1972, and December 31, 1981. The court heard that O'Brien admitted to gardaí in 1997 that he was "molesting" young boys in the scouts, yet a direction was made not to prosecute. He was previously jailed for four-and-a-half years in October 2015 for sexually abusing six young boys on camping trips in the late 1970s and 80s. Prosecution evidence detailed allegations of fondling and non-penetrative abuse during scouting trips in Wicklow and Meath. Victim impact statements described lasting psychological and physical effects, including trust issues and stress-related health problems. Defense counsel noted that O'Brien accepted he committed grave wrongs and apologized for his behavior. Judge Karen O'Connor remanded O'Brien in custody and adjourned the matter for sentencing on November 7.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, truck driver Oleksandr Hrudovyy, aged 47, was found not guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of 80‑year‑old William Carrick on 22 May 2015. The jury, after about an hour and a half of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict. Hrudovyy, a professional driver from Clonee, claimed he was not driving dangerously; he had no alcohol or drugs, was not tired, and had not been speeding. He argued that Carrick, who had left a pub and was attempting to cross a pedestrian crossing partially blocked by the truck's rear, may have been in a blind spot. Dashcam footage showed Carrick crossing in front of the truck before Hrudovyy moved forward, but the footage did not capture the driver's view. Hrudovyy stopped the truck immediately, was shocked, and cooperated with Gardaí. The prosecution alleged Hrudovyy was inattentive and did not check mirrors.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Oleksandr Hrudovyy, a 47‑year‑old professional truck driver, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of William Carrick, an 80‑year‑old pedestrian. The incident occurred on 22 May 2015 when Hrudovyy stopped his 16.9‑metre truck in heavy traffic at a green light on Swords Road, Cloghran, and then moved forward, crushing Carrick who had just left a pub and was crossing the road. Carrick died from multiple fractures and blood loss. The prosecution alleged Hrudovyy was inattentive, failed to check mirrors, and did not perform required checks before moving the vehicle. Dashcam footage showed Carrick crossing in front of the truck, while Hrudovyy claimed he did not see him. Defence argued the evidence did not meet the Supreme Court's definition of dangerous driving and that the stop was merely inconsiderate. The jury was instructed to remain impartial and consider the facts presented.
Rafal Winter, a 37‑year‑old former shop assistant manager from Clonee, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing more than €10,000 worth of lottery scratch cards from a Spar store in Mulhuddart between 2 July and 24 September 2017. He admitted taking up to 30 books of cards over several weeks, claiming jealousy after friends discussed pay rises. Winter voluntarily presented himself to the Gardaí, explained that he scratched the cards himself, and offered to resign and repay the €10,500 he had stolen. He has since worked as a security guard and has not attracted further Garda attention. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended entirely, subject to a number of conditions. The judge noted his efforts to repay the money and his lack of prior convictions in Ireland or Poland. The case was prosecuted by Diarmuid Collins BL and defended by Jennifer Jackson BL.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Alan Barrett, 42, was sentenced to nine months in custody for diverting trust money held for event organisers into his personal account to keep the ticketing company Event Elephant LTD afloat. Barrett, who had previously served a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for tax offences in 2017, pleaded guilty to theft between December 2010 and August 2013. The judge described the offence as an "unusual theft" arising from Barrett's stewardship of company funds, noting that a substantial portion was spent on company expenses. Barrett had already served part of his earlier sentence and was disqualified from being a company director. The court imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending all but nine months, reflecting Barrett's cooperation, remorse, and the impact of his actions on the company's financial difficulties.
An accused man was observed meeting two individuals convicted in connection with the fatal shooting of dissident republican Peter Butterly one day after the killing, the Special Criminal Court heard today. Surveillance officers told the non-jury court that on March 7, 2013, Laurence Murphy was seen at a fast-food outlet in Charlestown Shopping Centre in Dublin alongside Kevin Braney and Frank Murphy. Butterly, aged 35, was shot dead on March 6, 2013, outside a public house in Gormanston, County Meath. Braney was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this year following conviction for the premeditated murder. The prosecution contends the group gathered for a debrief regarding the previous day's events. Murphy, of Bettystown, County Meath, and Ray Kennedy, of Blanchardstown, Dublin, have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA on that date. Kennedy faces an additional charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The trial continues.
Olivia O Mahony, 22, of Boyerstown, Navan, received an 18‑month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to possessing property known to be the proceeds of criminal conduct. She had allowed her then‑partner to transfer €15,000 into her Bank of Ireland account, from which she withdrew about €13,000 in cash within two hours before the account was frozen. The money was part of a €1 million fraud that involved a fraudulent email sent to a Danish company, which transferred the VAT refund to an Irish Rabo Direct account. O Mahony claimed she had no knowledge that the transfer was illegal and said she handed the cash to her boyfriend. The court noted she had been manipulated and had not profited from the crime, leading to the suspended sentence.
Keegan Davidson, 25, was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final two years suspended, for laundering €104,107 obtained through an "invoice redirection" fraud. He supplied his bank account details to a criminal gang that used them to receive payments from a bogus email sent to an engineering company. Davidson withdrew about €43,759 from various bureaux de change and post offices in Dublin, converting portions to British pounds and US dollars. He pleaded guilty to four offences under the 2010 Money Laundering Act for transferring or converting money knowing it was the proceeds of crime. The court noted he had no evidence of involvement in the fraud beyond laundering, and that the bank recovered roughly €46,000 from his account. Davidson's prior convictions include possession of knives, public order, theft, trespass, and a suspended sentence for possession of a sawn‑off shotgun. The judge acknowledged his efforts at rehabilitation and imposed the suspended sentence on conditions.
Edward Stokes, aged 25, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for endangerment and dangerous driving after a high‑speed chase in Clondalkin and Ballyfermot. On 3 October 2016, Stokes drove through a red light, over a Luas line, and attempted to ram a Garda patrol car, forcing the officers to take evasive action. He then drove into a traveller's site, crashed into a bollard, and fled into an attic where he was arrested. Stokes had 23 prior convictions, including violent disorder and driving offences, and was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence. The court noted his medical condition (necrotising pancreatitis) and his expressed remorse. Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions. Edward Stokes pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a homeless couple, Stacey O'Dwyer (34) and Ciaran O'Toole (35), avoided jail after pleading guilty to possessing €8,000 worth of heroin for sale or supply. The drugs were found in O'Dwyer's tracksuit after a checkpoint search on 27 April. O'Dwyer resisted arrest, kicking, screaming, lying on the ground and later biting a Garda, while O'Toole remained calm. Both pleaded guilty, O'Dwyer also to obstructing an officer. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended three‑year sentence, noting O'Dwyer's mental health history, remorse and rehabilitation progress, and O'Toole's acceptance of responsibility. The pair, living in homeless accommodation, plan to marry in a civil ceremony in early November. The court considered their prior convictions and personal circumstances before deciding the suspended sentence.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Ray Kennedy (39) and Laurence Murphy (62), who have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA on March 6, 2013. Kennedy is also charged with perverting the course of justice by destroying a mobile SIM card. The prosecution presented the statement of Eithne Butterly, widow of dissident republican Peter Butterly, who was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath, on that date. Mrs Butterly told gardai that Kennedy was a "good friend" to both of them and that her husband had received five death threats, including one from Alan Ryan. She stated her husband told her he was meeting Kennedy at 2pm on March 6, 2013, though Kennedy maintains the meeting was scheduled for 2.30pm. The court heard that four men—Kevin Braney, Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans—have already received life sentences for the murder, while Michael McDermott and Frank Murphy have also been jailed for their roles in the killing. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, Judge Sarah Berkeley, and Judge Michael Walsh, resumes tomorrow.
Ray Kennedy (39) and Laurence Murphy (62) are on trial at the Special Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on March 6, 2013. Mr Kennedy is also charged with carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card. The prosecution alleges the pair were involved in the "meticulously planned killing" of dissident republican Peter Butterly (35), who was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath, on that date. Testimony from Detective Garda Alan Waters indicated that Mr Kennedy arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, claiming he was meeting his "friend" Mr Butterly. The prosecution suggests Mr Kennedy destroyed the SIM card to destroy evidence. While the current trial is ongoing, four other men—Kevin Braney, Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans—have already received life sentences for Mr Butterly's murder. Additionally, Michael McDermott (60) and Frank Murphy (59), who played roles in the murder, have also been jailed. The trial resumes before Justice Tara Burns, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Michael Walsh.
The Special Criminal Court heard the opening of the prosecution case against Ray Kennedy and Laurence Murphy, who have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA. Kennedy, 39, is additionally charged with carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card. The trial concerns the killing of dissident republican Peter Butterly in March 2013. Prosecution counsel alleged that Kennedy arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, having arranged a meeting with the victim, and subsequently destroyed a SIM card. It was further alleged that Murphy's vehicle passed the location two days prior to the incident and that he attended a debriefing meeting afterwards. The court heard that four other men have already received life sentences for the murder, while Michael McDermott and Frank Murphy, the latter being Laurence Murphy's brother, have also been jailed for their roles in the killing. David Cullen, whose plea to a lesser charge was accepted in 2014, turned State's witness. The trial is ongoing before a three-judge panel and resumes tomorrow.
The Special Criminal Court will open a trial tomorrow for Laurence Murphy, 62, and Ray Kennedy, 39, who were charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army, in connection with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, who was shot dead on 6 March 2013 outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co. Meath. Both men pleaded not guilty to the membership charges. Justice Tara Burns, Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Michael Walsh remanded them on continuing bail until the trial opens.
A Dublin man, Ray Kennedy, 39, was charged at an out‑of‑term sitting of the Special Criminal Court on Tuesday with an act intended to pervert the course of justice by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card. The SIM card was in his possession on 6 March 2013, the day Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co. Meath. Kennedy had previously been charged in September 2017 with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army, also known as Oglaigh Na hÉireann. He was warned of a warrant and given a copy of the charge sheet. Kennedy appeared before the three‑judge court wearing a black hoodie and jeans, stood as requested, and was served a book of evidence.
The Special Criminal Court has acquitted Darren Weldon of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on October 14, 2014. Weldon, who pleaded not guilty, was previously convicted of the same offence in January 2017 and sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final year suspended. That conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in June 2018, resulting in the current retrial. The prosecution's case relied primarily on the belief evidence of Detective Chief Superintendent Anthony Howard, supported by alleged independent strands including a DNA match to a number plate from the 2010 Newry courthouse bombing, an image of Alan Ryan on Weldon's phone, and adverse inferences from interviews. The court found that the integrity of the number plate was not properly preserved, rendering the DNA evidence unreliable. It also could not draw inferences regarding the phone image or the interviews, as the solicitor's objections to the arrest's lawfulness were reasonable. Consequently, the court found the belief evidence unsupported by independent evidence and acquitted Weldon. This decision follows the procedural stage of an appeal that overturned the prior conviction.
Martin Sherlock, a 31-year-old man from Navan, Co Meath, has lost his appeal against a rape conviction. The Court of Appeal dismissed his argument that judges are mandatorily required to warn juries about an accused's 'previous good character.' Sherlock had pleaded not guilty to raping a woman at her Dublin home on August 14, 2015, claiming the sex was consensual, though he admitted hearing 'no.' He pleaded guilty to stealing her mobile phone. A Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of rape, and he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy in July 2018. In the appeal, President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, stated there is no empirical evidence that a person without previous convictions is more likely to tell the truth. He noted that while defence counsel can argue enhanced credibility or lack of propensity to offend, this does not necessitate a mandatory judicial warning. The court highlighted that Sherlock admitted lying to the victim and stealing her phone, actions inconsistent with 'good character.' The panel, including Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, concluded that adopting such a mandatory requirement would create difficulties and is not supported by Irish legal authority. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the original conviction and sentence stand.
Selem Abbas, aged 22, was one of three men who threatened a teenager with scissors and a hurling stick, forced the victim into a car, and demanded he withdraw €100 from an ATM. The incident, which involved false imprisonment, was reported to the Gardaí. Abbas pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, robbery, production of scissors and a hurling stick, and false imprisonment. He had 22 prior convictions. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Abbas to six years' imprisonment, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions. The sentence reflected the seriousness of the robbery, the use of weapons, and the false imprisonment of the teenager. Abbas was described as a frequent drug user at the time of the offence, but the court noted he was clean of drugs and had good family support. The teenager did not submit a victim impact statement. The case was prosecuted by Derek Cooney BL and defended by Brian Storan BL.
James Smith, 38, of Huntstown Wood, Dublin, was caught in possession of €76,800 worth of cannabis resin during a covert Garda operation in early 2017. He was observed visiting a property in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, and leaving it with a plastic Tesco bag containing five bars of cannabis resin. Smith claimed he had collected the blocks to pay a €10,000 cocaine debt. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martina Baxter sentenced him to five years in prison but suspended the sentence in full, ordering him to keep the peace for five years and attend probation services for two years. The court noted that Smith had additional drugs in the house he visited, with 15 more bars recovered, and that he had multiple prior convictions but none for drug offences. Judge Baxter highlighted Smith's early guilty plea, family focus, rehabilitation efforts, and negative drug tests as mitigating factors, concluding that imprisonment would be unfair and unjust.
In a hearing on 26 July 2019, Mr Justice Michael White extended an injunction that requires Facebook and Twitter to remove any photographs or other material that could identify the two fourteen‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel. The order, originally imposed on 20 June, will remain in force until after the boys' sentencing on 22 November. Brendan Grehan SC, speaking for the Director of Public Prosecutions, noted that the sentence hearing had been postponed to 29 October and requested that the injunction continue until the new date. Rossa Fanning SC for Facebook Ireland and Andrew Fitzpatrick SC for Twitter confirmed their cooperation and consented to the order's continuation. The injunction was issued after social media posts had circulated identifying the boys, who are known only as Boy A and Boy B, and the court emphasized the need to monitor the situation due to its sensitivity.
Jason O'Connor, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a man at The Paddocks pub in Clonee on 3 November 2018, and for making threats to kill or seriously harm Detective Sergeant Shane McCartan and Detective Inspector Joseph McLoughlin during a search of his home on 5 November 2018. The threats were recorded by a documentary film crew and played in court. O'Connor pleaded guilty to both the assault and the threats. He has 64 previous convictions, mainly traffic offences, but also knives, burglary and a mobile phone in prison. The judge, Martin Nolan, imposed a concurrent one‑year sentence for the threats, back‑dated to reflect time already spent in custody. The court noted that O'Connor had been in his boxer shorts when the Emergency Response Unit breached his door, and that he had a history of mental health issues and substance misuse.
Gary Kinlan, 42, with 129 prior convictions, was sentenced to three years after robbing a cash‑in‑transit driver of €25,000 on 3 December 2018. The robbery occurred after Kinlan left Dublin District Court, where he had just received an eight‑month suspended sentence for another offence. While the driver was returning a cash box to his van, Kinlan, carrying nail clippers, threatened him with a metal object he claimed was a knife. The driver, fearing for his safety, dropped the box; Kinlan seized it and fled. Witnesses photographed him carrying the cash, and Gardaí were alerted by members of the public. Kinlan was arrested after attempting to evade officers, and a set of keys and nail clippers were seized. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and the judge, noting his drug and alcohol issues and the opportunistic nature of the crime, imposed a three‑year sentence back‑dated to December 2018.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott granted the legal teams of two 14‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel access to parts of each other's probation reports that relate to the murder and sexual assault. The request was made by Gerardine Small BL for the Director of Public Prosecutions, and both defendants' counsel, Patrick Gageby SC and Damien Colgan SC, objected neither to the disclosure nor to a garda inspector's access. The judge emphasised that the documents must be handled with the strictest confidence and warned that any breach would be contempt of court. He also limited media presence to no more than five reporters at the boys' sentencing in October, citing the need for an appropriate environment. The boys, referred to as Boy A and Boy B, were convicted by unanimous jury verdicts last month for Ana's murder and aggravated sexual assault.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 15 July 2019, Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing for two 14‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel and of assaulting her in a violent manner. The boys, referred to as Boy A and Boy B, were found guilty on 18 June of the murder and the aggravated sexual assault. The judge explained that he would not proceed with a sentence hearing until psychiatric reports are completed. Two teams of psychiatrists, one adult forensic and one child psychiatrist, will prepare reports for each boy, with a possible psychologist involved. The reports are expected to take time and are unlikely to be ready before the end of term. Sentencing has been postponed to 29 October, with all reports required to be available to the legal teams by 21 October.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Detective Chief Superintendent Anthony Howard testified that he believed Darren Weldon, a 47‑year‑old from Kilbarrack, was a member of the Irish Republican Army on 14 October 2014. Howard, head of the Special Detective Unit, said his belief was based on all material he had reviewed, not on any evidence discovered at Weldon's arrest. He claimed privilege over the material, citing protection of life and public security, and noted that revealing the details could hamper investigations into subversive crime. Howard acknowledged that the material was collated but maintained privilege regarding its timeframe and any association with Alan Ryan. He confirmed Weldon had no prior convictions. The case, with a not‑guilty plea, will continue before Justice Paul Coffey and two other judges. Darren Weldon pleaded not guilty.
In July 2019, the Irish Daily Mail editor Sebastian Hamilton was fined €4,500 after a court found him guilty of contempt for a front‑page headline that posed a real risk to the trial of two boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. The headline, "CCTV shows Ana being led to her death," was deemed inaccurate and potentially prejudicial. The court noted that Hamilton's consultation system with court reporter Helen Bruce was inadequate and that there was no effective editorial control over the story's presentation. The publisher, Associated News (Ireland) Ltd, was fined €25,000. Hamilton was ordered to pay the fine within six weeks or face three months' imprisonment, and the company was also ordered to pay the DPP's costs. The case highlighted the importance of accurate reporting during ongoing trials.
During a brief court appearance, Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), expressed concern that the identification of the two 14‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel could "flare up" again at the upcoming sentencing hearing later this month. The boys, known only as Boy A and Boy B in the media, were convicted in June of the murder of Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May last year, and Boy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. The DPP noted that it remains "real concerned" despite a recent period of stability following the removal of identifying images from Facebook and Twitter. On 20 June, Mr Justice Michael White imposed an injunction requiring Facebook and Twitter to remove any photos or other material identifying the boys.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Darren Weldon, 47, from Kilbarrack, Dublin, pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation called the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Prosecuting counsel Paul Greene was presented with evidence that Weldon's mobile phone contained three images, including two pictures of the late Real IRA leader Alan Ryan with the caption "heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done regardless of the consequences." Detective Sergeant Eileen Keogh, who extracted the images, acknowledged that they could have been sent to Weldon by someone else and that deleted WhatsApp conversations can leave saved images on a phone. Witnesses including Detective Inspector William Hanrahan, Garda Jude Ainsworth and Garda James Flaherty recounted encounters with Alan Ryan and Weldon in 2011 and 2012, but did not provide further evidence of wrongdoing. The trial is set to continue tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Coffey, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Michael Walsh.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 1 July 2019, Mr Justice Paul McDermott considered whether mental health professionals could interview the parents of the two boys convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The boys, referred to as Boy A and Boy B, were found guilty of the murder and, in Boy A's case, of aggravated sexual assault. Mr Justice McDermott had ordered probation and psychiatric reports from child forensic psychiatrists. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, presented Professor Harry Kennedy's suggestions, which included joint assessments by consultant child and forensic psychiatrists, assessments by clinical psychologists, and interviews with the boys' parents to access prior reports. Patrick Gageby SC, for Boy A, noted uncertainty about the availability of a specialist child forensic psychiatrist in Ireland, while Damien Colgan SC, for Boy B, expressed no objection to the proposals.
In a Central Criminal Court ruling, Mr Justice Paul McDermott fined journalist Niall O'Connor €2,500 after he inadvertently named one of the boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder during a live Red FM interview. The station was fined €10,000. O'Connor, who was a guest on the Neil Prendeville show the morning after the convictions, apologized unreservedly, stating the slip was a mistake and not intentional. The DPP's Brendan Grehan noted that the boys, aged 14, could not be identified, and the court had taken care to refer to them as Boy A and Boy B. The judge imposed the fine or a three‑month prison term if unpaid, and the broadcaster was ordered to pay within three months. The case highlighted the court's protection of minors and the broadcaster's subsequent implementation of a seven‑second delay to prevent future incidents.
Petronel Pal, 36, was arrested in Dublin on May 3 after a second attempt to secure bail was denied. He is wanted in Romania for aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and aggravated robbery committed on April 10, 2014, when he and others allegedly broke into the apartment of Virgil Busa, 37, at Academy Square, Navan. Busa was violently assaulted and died three days later. The alleged crime group, headed by a relative of Pal, is said to have used extreme violence and stolen a laptop, tablet, mobile phone and rucksack. Pal has eight prior convictions in Ireland, including possession of equipment for making false instruments and handling stolen property, which the Gardaí cited as evidence of a flight risk. The High Court refused bail, and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision, citing Pal's record and potential for absconding. Pal's lawyer noted that extradition proceedings will involve significant legal issues, including extra‑territoriality. The case remains pending.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a contempt of court motion was authorised after journalist Niall O'Connor allegedly named one of the two boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder on a Cork radio show. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed Mr Justice Michael White that the matter arose from an interview on the Neil Prendeville show on Red FM on the morning of June 19, the day after the jury's verdicts. The boys, aged 14, were found guilty of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel at an abandoned farmhouse in Lucan on 14 May last year, and one was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault. The identities of the boys are protected under the Children Act and a court order by Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Mr Grehan presented a redacted transcript showing the journalist naming one boy twice before being cut off.
Patrick Nevin, 37, was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for raping two women in Meath after meeting them on Tinder. He pleaded guilty to the July 12, 2014 rape in Bellewstown and to a second sexual assault four days later. Nevin had previously been convicted of a sexual assault on a Brazilian woman at UCD in 2014 and had a 5½‑year sentence for that offence. The judge, Ms Justice Creedon, found the attacks pre‑meditated and callous, noting Nevin's predatory conduct and hostility toward women. He received a 14‑year term with the final two years suspended, and a five‑year post‑release supervision order that includes restrictions on physical performance, internet use and contact with others. The sentence was back‑dated to June 2015. Nevin has been in custody since September 2014.
David Dunne, 35, was sentenced to nine years for 13 robberies in Dublin between July and September 2017. He admitted the robberies were driven by a need to fund his crack cocaine and heroin addiction, saying he was "off my head on crack" and that he had sold his car for €300 to buy drugs. Dunne pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted his 92 prior convictions and the seriousness of the 13 victims involved, but also his expressed wish to rehabilitate. Consecutive sentences totalling nine years were imposed, with the final year suspended on strict conditions, including victim‑focused work and residential drug treatment if directed. The robberies involved threats with knives, theft of over €2,640 in cash and cigarettes, and the use of CCTV footage to identify and prosecute him. The case highlighted the impact of drug addiction on criminal behaviour.
In a contempt of court hearing on 20 June 2019, Mr Justice Michael White addressed the wrongful online identification of an innocent boy as one of the convicted murderers of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The judge urged Gardaí to pursue those who shared the identities of the two boys, Boy A and Boy B, who were convicted of the murder and an aggravated sexual assault. Under the Children Act, it is an offence to identify minors, and the court upheld an injunction requiring Facebook and Twitter to remove any material that identified the boys. Lawyers for the boys expressed concerns about threats and the safety of their families. The judge emphasised the importance of respecting the law and the integrity of the trial process, noting that the Central Criminal Court is not the forum for broader social media responsibility.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 19 June 2019, Mr Justice Michael White warned that publishing the identities of the two boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder is an offence. The judge issued a contempt of court order against any person who attempts to identify the 14‑year‑old boys, stating they will be treated in the most serious fashion. He also ordered Facebook and Twitter to appear in court the following day and to remove any material that identifies the boys. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, requested the removal of photographs and other identifying content from the platforms. The boys, referred to only as Boy A and Boy B, were convicted of murder and, in Boy A's case, aggravated sexual assault, after an eight‑week trial with unanimous jury verdicts. The court emphasised that the Children Act prohibits the identification of minors accused or convicted of a criminal offence. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel has spent 11 hours and 24 minutes deliberating and will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to continue. Mr Justice Paul McDermott instructed the eight men and four women to return at 10 am and reminded them not to discuss the case with anyone outside the jury. The accused, who cannot be named because they are minors, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May last year. Boy A is also charged with Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence and has pleaded not guilty to that charge as well. Mr Justice McDermott explained that the jury must consider each count separately, with possible verdicts of guilty or not guilty for each murder charge and for the aggravated sexual assault charge.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel has paused its deliberations for the week and will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday. After spending seven hours and fifteen minutes over three days, Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the eight men and four women that they could go home for the weekend, warning them not to discuss the case with anyone outside the jury or to follow media reports. The foreman of the jury sent a note to the judge requesting seven discs containing videos of Boy B's interviews with Gardaí in May and July 2018, and asked for a larger screen for viewing the DVDs on Monday. Mr Justice McDermott agreed to provide a larger screen. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a trial for the murder of Ana Kriegel, Judge Paul McDermott instructed the jury that the prosecution's case hinges on the injuries inflicted on Ana, which they argue demonstrate the accused's intention to kill or cause serious injury. The jury, after more than four hours of deliberation, has been shown various exhibits, including a blood‑stained stick, gloves with Ana's blood, Tescon insulation tape found around her neck, and CCTV footage. Mr Justice McDermott explained that intent can be inferred from preparation, citing Boy A's bringing a mask and other items to the scene. He emphasized that the prosecution believes intent is established through pathology and forensic evidence, and that the natural consequence of such injuries is serious injury or death. The accused, both 14, have pleaded not guilty to murder and to an aggravated sexual assault charge. The jury will return tomorrow to continue deliberations.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel began deliberations at the Central Criminal Court on 12 June 2019. Eight men and four women were sent out at 12.35pm, returned thirty minutes later, and were instructed by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to suspend deliberations for the day and resume at 10am the next day. The judge explained that each of the three murder counts against Boy A and Boy B must be decided unanimously, with only two possible verdicts per count: guilty or not guilty. For Boy A's aggravated sexual assault charge, the jury could return a guilty or not guilty verdict. Mr Justice McDermott emphasized that each count must be considered separately, that reasonable doubt requires acquittal, and that the jury should focus on the evidence relating to the events of 14 May, the day of the murder.
In a 2019 trial at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott warned a jury that people may lie for reasons such as shame or to hide disgraceful behaviour. He explained that the jury could rely on alleged lies only if the prosecution proved there was no innocent explanation. The case involved two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. Boy A was also charged with aggravated sexual assault; Boy B was charged with aiding and abetting the murder. The judge instructed the jury to consider each boy's case separately, to assess intent to kill or cause serious injury, and to evaluate circumstantial and forensic evidence. He emphasised that presence at a crime scene does not equal participation, and that the jury must acquit if any reasonable doubt about intent or knowledge remains. The judge concluded his charge the following morning. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a murder and aggravated sexual assault trial, the defence counsel for a 14‑year‑old accused of killing and assaulting Anastasia Kriegel argued that no witness had shown the boy intended to kill. Patrick Gageby SC asked the jury whether any evidence proved the boy's intent to kill or to kill Kriegel. He also highlighted the boy's lack of prior legal contacts and the immaturity of teenagers, urging jurors to consider the boy's age. Gageby noted that the prosecution's case relied largely on circumstantial evidence, including DNA and forensic findings, but questioned whether any evidence proved pre‑meditation. He warned against inferring intent from the boy's actions or from the presence of a bag and its contents. The defence maintained the boy's plea of not guilty and urged the jury to weigh the evidence carefully, especially given the boy's age and the seriousness of the allegations.
In the Central Criminal Court, Brendan Grehan SC presented the prosecution case against two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. He argued that Boy A was the principal perpetrator, citing an "overwhelming forensic case" linking him to the scene, including DNA from Ana's body and items found in his home. Grehan described Ana's violent death, detailing injuries, blood spatter, and forensic evidence that she fought for her life. He contrasted this with Boy B, for whom he said there was no forensic evidence but relied on Garda interviews that he had assisted the killer and helped conceal the crime. Grehan emphasized that both boys lied to Gardaí and that Boy B's statements were inconsistent, concluding that the evidence warranted conviction for murder and aggravated sexual assault. The case was set to proceed with Patrick Gageby representing Boy A. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The High Court has ruled that developer Garrett Kelleher is not entitled to certain categories of discovery in his damages action against National Asset Loan Management Ltd (NALM). Mr Kelleher alleges a breach of confidence and malicious disclosure of his confidential financial information, claims which NALM denies. While NALM accepts that former employee Enda Farrell unlawfully disclosed information, it asserts it is not liable for his actions. In a pre-trial motion, Mr Kelleher sought documents regarding the dissemination of his banking and business affairs by Mr Farrell. Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington declined to compel NALM to provide the material, describing some requests as lacking specificity or constituting a "fishing expedition." The court noted that NALM was already providing certain relevant materials. The ruling references the 2016 sentencing of Enda Farrell, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of unlawfully disclosing information in breach of the 2009 Nama Act between May and July 2012. He received a two-year suspended prison sentence for leaking sensitive data to two investment companies. The court emphasized that none of the charges against Farrell related to Mr Kelleher's affairs. Mr Kelleher's claims are linked to suspicions arising in 2011, including a bid by the Trump organisation for the Chicago Spire project loan, which he alleges was based on leaked confidential material.
In the trial for the murder of 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel, the father of one of the accused boys, aged 14, testified that his son was "not capable of doing anything like that" and that the boy had lied to Gardaí and his parents out of fear of his co‑accused. He described how his son was seen with Ana on the day she disappeared, how the boy later claimed he was afraid of Boy A and that he would not speak to adults for fear of being punished. The father also recounted attempts to get his son to recall details of the night, noting the boy's reluctance and lack of trust. He added that his son had made weapons such as a bow and arrow and that the boy was arrested and held overnight for questioning. The prosecution's evidence was completed, the defence did not call witnesses, and the jury will return on Thursday. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, a minor witness, referred to as Boy B, claimed that his co‑accused, Boy A, was attempting to set him up for the murder of 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. Boy B described seeing Boy A place Ana in a headlock and attempt to force her to the ground, while Ana fought back by punching and kicking Boy A's arms and legs. Another child witness recalled that Boy A was "agitated and fidgety" after Ana's disappearance, whereas Boy B appeared calm. Both accused boys, aged 14, have pleaded not guilty to the murder and to Boy A's additional charge of aggravated sexual assault. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of eight men and four women. The court heard five child witnesses in total.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, a copybook found in the home of one of the 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel was presented. The book, titled "Drawing," contained a "Satanic pledge drawing," pentagrams, and a list of names that included the two accused. Rules in the book forbade speaking of Jesus or God, allowed only pledge hosts to give pledges, and instructed members to act normally. Boy A, also charged with aggravated sexual assault, pleaded not guilty to both counts. Boy B was interviewed by Garda Donal Daly, who explained the book's contents and his reference to a "satanist" homework club. Daly denied that Garda procedures were disingenuous and stated that Boy B was given opportunities to speak truthfully. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women.
In May 2019, Boy B, a 14‑year‑old, told Gardaí that his co‑accused, Boy A, had said he was planning to kill Ana Kriegel, a 14‑year‑old schoolgirl. Boy B claimed he did not believe Boy A was serious and did not know what Boy A intended to do. He also admitted lying to Gardaí about Ana's disappearance because he feared being framed by Boy A. Both boys are minors and have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Lucan, and Boy A has also pleaded not guilty to an aggravated sexual assault charge. Gardaí have reviewed 16 hours of Boy B's interviews, during which he described seeing Boy A wearing gloves, a mask and other items, and witnessing Boy A "flip" Ana and choke her while removing her clothes.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Boy B, a 14‑year‑old, told Gardaí that he witnessed his co‑accused, Boy A, raping Ana Kriegel, the 14‑year‑old schoolgirl who was murdered. Boy B said he fled when he realised what was happening. Both boys, who are minors, have pleaded not guilty to the murder. Boy A is also charged with aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. The jury, composed of eight men and four women, has been viewing video footage of Boy B's interviews from July 2018. In the second interview, Boy B described entering the abandoned house, observing the interior, and then seeing Boy A and Ana in a room where Boy A allegedly choked Ana while removing her clothing. Boy B claimed he ran away after witnessing the assault. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.